Cycle Touring in Ireland

A guide to cycle touring in Ireland describing 12 one to two-week cycle tours for road bikes all around and across Ireland visiting Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Limerick, Kenmare and Cork. Ireland is a cyclists paradise - quiet roads winding along spectacular coastline, through tiny villages, over mountain passes and past countless historic sites. The routes described here cover Ireland and Northern Ireland from the Causeway Coast in the north to Mizen Head in the south and from Dublin in the east to Connemara in the west. They seek out the quiet, the quirky and the spectacular parts of this beautiful island in tours that can mostly be fitted into a single week's riding. The mountains, valleys and lakes are waiting, as are the hostels, camp sites and traditional Irish pubs - and this guide tells you all you need to know, whether you're a cycle touring novice or an old hand. Routes range from 250km to 500km with further suggestions for combining routes to make five grand tours and detailed route cards are provided, which can be followed junction by junction as you ride and list all facilities and sights along the way.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Geology Wildlife and Flowers History What's in a Name? Architecture Culture Getting There Getting Around When to Go Accommodation Health and Safety Food and Drink Language Money Post, Phones and Internet Cycling in Ireland What to Take Maps Emergencies Using this Guide The Routes Route 1 Belfast to Derry - the Causeway Coast and the Sperrin Mountains Route 2 Derry to Donegal Town - Tour of Donegal Route 3 Donegal Town to Sligo - the Irish Lakelands Route 4 Sligo to Achill Island - into the Atlantic Route 5 Tour of Connacht - Pilgrims and Islands Route 6 The Aran Islands and the Burren - Music and Rock Route 7 Dublin to Limerick - the Guinness Route Route 8 The Southwest Peninsulas - Ringing the Changes Route 9 Kenmare to Cork - the Fuchsia Coast Route 10 Cork to Killarney and Waterford - the Blackwater Valley Route 11 Dublin to Waterford - Beyond the Pale Route 12 Dublin to Belfast - A Trail of Two Cities Appendices Appendix 1 Route Summary Table Appendix 2 Grand Tours Appendix 3 Useful Contacts Appendix 4 Further Reading

About the Author :
When Tom Cooper decided to explore Ireland by bike, he couldn't find the guide book he wanted. So he set out to write this one to inspire and help cyclists to enjoy cycle touring in Ireland as much as he does. Tom has worked as a journalist and editor for newspapers in both England and Australia and this is his first guidebook.